The Approaches to Management of the Elderly Clubs in Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: 1) to study managerial conditions and problems of the elderly clubs; 2) to compare managerial problems categorized by a number of years and members forming the clubs; and 3) to draw up approaches to management of the clubs in Kamphaeng Phet Province. There were two steps in doing this research; that is, firstly, data were conducted with the presidents and the boards of directors from 86 elderly clubs in order to study their managerial conditions; however, to encounter their managerial problems, data were conducted with 397 club committees and members using the questionnaires and the statistical measures, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Independent t-test, and One-Way ANOVA. Secondly, data gained from the first step were used for content analysis through running a workshop in which the total attendants involved 40 people who were in charge of the elderly at district and provincial levels or those who were the boards of directors and scholars. The results of studying the managerial conditions of the elderly clubs revealed that the committees were elected by most of club members who were high school (or lower) graduates recognizing the importance of participation in club activities. Nevertheless, participation by all members was lower than other issues; that was, only half the elderly clubs had rules and regulations written obviously, and most of them did not charge membership fees but received a budget in relation to health activities from a variety of organizations and institutes. The results also reported that the managerial problems of the elderly clubs showed an average level both in overall and in each aspect; moreover, when comparing such problems categorized by a number of years and members forming the clubs, the researchers found that overall there was no difference at the significant level 0.05. In conclusion, major approaches to successful management of the elderly clubs included club committees or club leaders who were strong and sacrificial as well as participants who frequently involved in activities which were held by the integration of cooperation with wider networks. In addition, the activities provided to members must tackle their problems or improve their quality of lives.